» Sun Sep 06, 2009 9:58 am This is a roleplaying fact book written by me. In The Elder Scrolls, I pretend that this is an actual book, written from the perspective of a High Elf Enchanter (Custom class) and researcher living in Skingrad (My character Cirali, actually), containing his research and facts about the various monsters, animals, and undead of Cyrodiil. The title and quite possibly the contents are a parody of the Harry Potter book, Fantastic beasts and where to find them. Enjoy.
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Fantastic Creatures of Cyrodiil and Where to Find Them
By Cirali
Welcome to Fantastic Creatures of Cyrodiil and Where to Find Them, the first of what I hope to be a series of fact books on the denizens of this universe. This one focuses on the Tamriel's Province of Cyrodiil, the Imperial heartland and my home. Since I am familiar with Cyrodiil, I thought it best to test out how I could write the books with something I am already knowledgable about. The book is set out into three sections - the standard animals of the land, the more powerful and sometimes intelligent monsters, and finally the fearful undead. All of these sections are in alphabetical order for the reader's conveniance.
Animals
Animals are the most numerous creatures in the Province. Luckily, most are not particularly dangerous and are easily dispatched or even better, actually avoided by the wary traveller. Some don't even have the incentive to attack, preferring to flee from their foes. And yet some actively hunt and seek enemies. Overall, however, Animals are not usually something to be troubled over for an adventurer or even a merchant traveller.
Bears
Bears are not extremely common, but they are not rare either. Bears usually actively search fruit and honey, but also fish in streams. Brown Bears are the more dangerous of the two, so be sure you are readily equipped and experienced before you face one off. Browns are found in the Colovian Highlands near Skingrad and Kvatch, whilst the weaker Blacks are most commonly found in mountain ranges, particularly the Jerall Mountains. Bears are solitary, preferring their own company, and do not have any specific breeding location or time. Bears hibernate during cold winters, meaning that they hide away in caves and the like so as to keep warm. The Black Bear has a shaggy coat to keep itself warm. All bears have sharp, powerful teeth, and a docile but reactive temperament.
Boars
Boars are aggressive pigs that are quite slow. Fortunately, Boars are quite rare, yet are found all over western and southern Cyrodiil. Boars tend to spend their days using their tusks to dig for truffles to eat, and often wallow in mud pits. Boars tend to live in loose herds which are spread out over Blackwood, Colovia, and sometimes even Niben Valley and rarely the mountain ranges. These herds are female only, however - The males are completely solitary.
Deer
Deer are common all over Cyrodiil. They are the main source of prey for most predators, and so are extremely fast to flee from them. If they do not detect a threat, they will spend their days grazing in grassy areas. Males will attack any possible threat, though females will run away. Deer have a wonderful meat called Venison, a particular favourite of mine, especially raw...
Dogs
Dogs are domesticated wolves, and therefore are very rarely found outside in the wilderness, unless accompanying a group of bandits. Dogs eat meat, and tend to howl at deceased bodies. They are found in cities and bandit camps, as that is where their owners usually live. But if you want to see a dog, I reccomend you just head on down to your local pet store and buy one.
Horses
Again, horses are common in major cities as mounts, but various wild bands are not unheard of, especially in Colovia. Like deer, they spend most of their days grazing grass.
Mountain Lion
Truly dangerous beasts, Lions tend to reside in lowland hills and highlands - Since Colovia is a mass of this, I have seen plenty of the creatures. Efficient pack hunters, Lions hunt deer primarily, working as a coordinated pack to single out one or two in a chase. The male does not hunt, however, it is the females which do this. But the male gets the first pick of the kill! Oh, how parasitic. Those male lions ought to be ashamed.
Mud Crab
I don't see many Mud Crabs as Skingrad is not near a lake or the ocean, but people in Leyawiin, Bravil, Anvil and even the Imperial City like to bang on about them a lot. Giant crabs that enjoy jumping on the unwary traveller, they are fascinating creatures if left alone, generally residing on the beds of lakes and oceans and feeding on smaller crustaceans and also fish. It is not uncommon to see Slaughterfish fighting these crabs.
Rats
Giant rats tend to live in or around caves, and are notorious pests in the Imperial City Sewers, so I hear. Rats are extremely aggressive and quick, but are not a large threat. Rats live off fungi and dead meat, including Goblins. Rats are often diseased, so be extra cautious to avoid these vicious animals.
Sheep
The primary domesticated animal of Cyrodiil, sheep are exceptionally rare in the wilderness, perhaps because they are not quick and easy targets for lions and wolves. You can see them grazing in farming areas.
Slaughterfish
In Cyrodiil, Slaughterfish are actually only found in the grand Lake Rumare and the oceans surrounding. Deadly, fast, and remorseless killers, they hunt smaller fish, Mud Crabs, and each other. They tend to have spectacular battles with Mud Crabs, ending with either the Slaughterfish cracking the crab's shell and devouring it or either the crab scaring the beast away, or slicing it dead with it's claws. Because of these fish, you MUST NOT swim in Lake Rumare unless you are an experianced adventurer.
Unicorn
Possibly the rarest beast in all of Cyrodiil, the few Unicorns that exist live in the moonlit forests north of Bravil. They are generally peaceful but do not tolerate any weapon being drawn. Unicorn tend to prefer women over men, and if provoked, can be devestating with their seemingly beautiful horn. Unicorns eat grass, and spend the days grazing. They seem to have a relationship with Minotaurs in the area, living peacefully together - Perhaps they accept each other as they are both horned creatures.
Wolf
Common hunters, wolves are notorious for killing off the precious sheep of farmers. They are fearless and will hunt horses, sheep, and deer with a vengeance. There are also similar Timber wolves, which are even more deadly. Wolves are found all over Cyrodiil, and are very similar to dogs.
